第 50 节
作者:双曲线      更新:2022-04-14 11:08      字数:9322
  Episkopi or Lycos river; and very abundantly supplied
  with water。 The houses are surrounded with
  fruitful gardens; and there are fields of grain and
  cotton in the vicinity。 The inhabitants have however
  very small holdings; and are; as a rule; miserably
  poor。 In former days Episkopi was a rich city; and
  contained in the Venetian times large manufactories;
  of its ancient greatness now remain the ruins of an
  aqueduct; immense storehouses or vaults; and several
  ruined Greek churches。 The spurs from Mount
  Troodos extend nearly down to the shore; and the
  road follows the coast…line; traversing a very beautiful
  country; the ground in spring is covered with flowers
  and aromatic herbs; and the ravines are filled with a
  luxuriant growth of cypresses; wild…olives; and flowering
  shrubs。〃
  There was nothing to induce a delay in Episkopi; but an addition may be
  made to the above description in stating that the river which has
  fertilised the spot and made it famous originates in the Troodos range。
  Later on; during the summer months; I often rested at the faintly
  dripping source of its first mountain affluent near the top of Troodos;
  which by degrees acquires strength from the Olympus drainage to form an
  important stream。
  We passed quickly through Episkopi with its fruitful gardens; narrow
  streets; and yelling curs。 Poor Wise was now alone; and we could no
  longer exhibit a combined front of three British lions to the snapping
  curs of Cyprus; therefore the dog Wise…ly kept close to the heels of our
  guide's pony and just before me; which; without the ignominy of retreat;
  secured his position from all assailants。 We passed below the ancient
  aqueduct; which conveyed a powerful volume of water to the turbine…wheel
  upon our right; and at length emerging from the town; we entered once
  more upon the plain; and steering for a large square tower which we had
  remarked when at the summit of the heights; we shortly arrived at the
  thriving village of Kolossi; about a mile and three…quarters distant。
  This large village was a waving sea of barley; some of the finest that I
  had seen; and due to artificial irrigation。 An ancient aqueduct of
  masonry turned a mill close to the large square tower that we had
  previously observed。 We halted for luncheon beneath an olive…tree a few
  yards distant from the aqueduct; in a garden of fruit…trees which were
  in the brightness of a spring foliage。
  The square tower of masonry must have formed a portion of defensive
  works that have disappeared; as there is no flanking protection; but the
  tower rises above the plain to a height of about sixty feet like a huge
  block of stone。 It is said to have been erected by the Knights Templars;
  and is of great solidity; but such experienced soldiers would hardly
  have constructed so important a work without due regard to the first
  rules of fortification。
  After luncheon; the camels having arrived; I would not allow them to
  unload; but directed them straight to Limasol。 Of course their owners
  declared the distance to be a long day's march; but as the map showed it
  to be six miles; I insisted。
  From Kolossi the country was perfectly open and cultivated; the
  peasantry were engaged in reaping barley; which was carried away upon
  donkeys' backs instead of being conveyed by carts。 The usual
  caroub…trees; although plentiful upon the rising ground in the distance;
  were few and far between; and from this to Limasol; which was now in
  view; the beauty of the landscape had departed 。 。 。 。 。 I dislike the
  approach to a large town in a semi…wild country; the charming simplicity
  and independence of travelling is destroyed; and the servants become
  more or less demoralised by a love of new associations which produces a
  neglect of duty。 Iiani was with us in addition to our guide the
  zaphtieh; therefore; as an utter stranger to the locality; I ordered
  them to lead us to a convenient camping…ground。 As we approached the
  town there were the usual minarets and date…palms; and several vessels;
  including steamers; were lying in the roadstead。 We halted near the
  entrance in a forsaken garden; where the walls were broken down and the
  unwatered orange…trees; although in faint blossom; were parched and
  faded。 Two very large apricot…trees promised a shade for the tent; but
  the sakyeeah; or water…wheel; together with two powerful English
  lifting…pumps that were connected with a large reservoir and aqueduct of
  masonry; were in the last stage of rust and rottenness。 I was not
  prepossessed with the aspect of the spot; as it reminded me strongly of
  an English property in charge of the Court of Chancery。 The baggage
  animals with the tents arrived while our people were employed in
  clearing a space beneath the trees from the innumerable stones; which;
  as usual throughout Cyprus; covered the surface。 The servants were
  busily engaged in erecting the tent; when a long; lanky individual; with
  a repulsive countenance; marched through the little crowd and haughtily
  inquired 〃who we were; and what business we had there?〃
  This was the first instance of incivility that I had met with in our
  journey through the island。 The man was a Turk; and was not the
  proprietor; but only the agent for this wretchedly…neglected property。
  The unfortunate owner was sleeping with his fathers; or he would; I feel
  sure; have welcomed us with true Turkish politeness and hospitality but
  having departed this life; some legal difficulties had occasioned
  trouble; and the estate was in the hands of the uncivil agent; who; of
  course; being nobody; assumed the airs of somebody; and endeavoured by
  rudeness to exhibit his importance。 We were travel…stained and dusty as
  millers; therefore our personal appearance had not impressed him
  favourably; he was in a thread…bare long black cloth habit that
  combined the cloak; dressing…gown; and frock…coat in a manner
  inexplicable; and known only to Turks。 This garment was trimmed in the
  front edges with rather mangy…looking fox…skin: loose pegtop trousers of
  greasy…looking cloth; dirty and threadbare; completed the costume of the
  great curiosity of Cyprus; 〃a rude person。〃
  I was not at the time aware that he understood Arabic; and happily I
  addressed Amarn in that language; expressing my surprise that in this
  country; where we had travelled so widely and found civility upon all
  sides; we should be subjected to such rudeness。 My servants; who were
  more annoyed than myself; spoke rather loudly; and assured him that if
  he was a Turk; their master was a pasha of his Sultan; and we would at
  once quit his miserable neglected ground and mention his inhospitality
  to the chief commissioner。 By this time the rear baggage animals had
  appeared; and the imposing array of luggage and people seemed to impress
  him with the fact that we were neither gipsies nor vagabonds。 I
  explained to him that we should not have presumed to intrude within a
  walled garden; but as the old walls had disappeared and the place was in
  an open and ruinous condition; we had trespassed innocently。 He
  disappeared with an apology; but upon the first opportunity after we had
  examined the neighbourhood of Limasol we changed our camp to a good
  position on the eastern outskirts of the town。 This side was rich in
  caroub…trees; and had grass existed it would have formed a park: the
  ground sloped from the mountains; about six miles distant; gradually to
  the sea; the surface was richly wooded by caroubs throughout; and the
  soil was cultivated with barley; which was already in the hands of
  reapers。 There were six caroub…trees in a line which connected their
  shade; and we soon cleared the cultivated; but withered; surface of the
  large clods of earth; which; having been turned up by the plough; had
  baked beneath the sun into the hardness of bricks; these were arranged
  in a square to mark the limits of the camp; while the interior area was
  pounded to produce an even floor; from this position we looked upon the
  sea; about a quarter of a mile distant; and upon the town of Limasol
  upon our right。
  No town in Cyprus exhibited the results of a British occupation to the
  same extent as Limasol。 The chief commissioner; Colonel Warren; R。A。;
  was an officer of great energy and ability; and he had grappled
  vigorously with every difficulty and cleansed the Augean stables
  thoroughly。 The town is about a mile and a half in length; and faces the
  sea in a position somewhat similar to that of Larnaca。 The quay is
  washed by the waves; which in stormy weather dash against the houses; at
  which times it is impossible to land from boats; and crews must remain
  on board their vessels safely anchored in the roadstead。 Although not so
  extensive as Larnaca; Limasol is more compact; and the houses and
  gardens are superior。 Owing to the active authority of the chief
  commissioner; the streets were scrupulously clean; and all the refuse of
  the town was conveyed to a safe distance。 A public market had been
  recently arranged; covered with corrugated galvanised iron; in which the
  departments for meat; vegetables; &c。; were kept separate; and the
  appearance and organisation resembled a market…place in England。 Th